Non-selective caries removal: Non-selective caries removal involves the complete excavation of infected dentin using conventional rotary instruments. Both infected and affected dentin are removed until hard dentin is reached, aiming to eliminate all carious tissue.
Selective caries removal: Selective caries removal involves complete caries removal at the cavity margins while preserving softened dentin near the pulp to reduce the risk of pulp exposure and maintain tooth vitality.
Study summary
Dental caries management approaches may influence not only tissue removal but also the microbial composition within the cavity. However, clinical evidence on how different caries removal methods affect the oral microbiome remains limited.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of selective and non-selective caries removal methods on the diversity and composition of the oral microbiome using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The findings are expected to help identify biologically compatible treatment approaches that effectively reduce pathogenic microorganisms.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
18 Years
Max age
40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Inclusion Criteria:
* Permanent molar or premolar teeth with carious lesions located on the occlusal surface and extending no deeper than the middle third of dentin
* Individuals with good oral hygiene
* Absence of clinical signs or symptoms of periapical pathology
* Teeth in occlusion with the opposing dentition
* Individuals aged between18-40 years
* Individuals who provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Teeth with pulpal exposure or irreversible pulpitis
* Presence of periapical pathology
* Poor oral hygiene
* Patients with systemic conditions affecting oral health or healing
* Use of antibiotics within the last 3 months
* Pregnant or lactating individuals
Primary outcome measure(s)
Microbiome Changes — 3 months In all groups, dentin samples will be taken from the affected dentin at the base of the cavity after caries removal using two sterile, size 6 round steel burs moistened with saline solution for microbial analysis. The burs will be placed in 5 ml sterile vials and stored at -80 0C until the analyses are performed. The prepared cavities will be completed with routine and standard treatment protocols. Following the finishing and polishing procedures, occlusion will be checked. The samples collected during the research process will be delivered to the A\&D Genetic Diseases Evaluation Centre (Ankara, Turkey) where DNA isolation and sequence analysis will be performed together with molecular biologists. In the method, following the extraction of total genomic DNA from clinical samples, broad-range 16S rRNA PCR will be performed and MicroSeq 500 16S rRNA Sequencing kit will be used for sequence analysis.
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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